Trailer hitch



May 26, 1931- G. c. BURKl-:TT 1,807,303

TRAILER HITCH Filed oct, 15. 1929 ,2 atto: n am Patented May 26, 1931UNITED STATES GEORGE C. BUB-KETT, OF'INJIAI-IOMA, OKLAHOMA TRAILER`:einen Application filed Uctober 15,=1929. 'Serial No. 399,802.

My invention relates to trailer hitches, as

they are known in the art, and has for its primary object the provisionof a novel device of this character which is simple in construction,easy to install, and highly eiiicient in practical use.

The invention also comprehends a device, as characterized, which hasattachment means for application to a rigid portion of the chassis frameof the vehicle to be towed in addition to the customary attachment tothe axle of the towed vehicle,-the advantage of the feature recitedbeing that the axle of the towed vehicle is relieved of undue strain.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a trailerhitch comprehending adjustable parts, thus rendering the same adaptablefor attachment to dierent makes of automobiles and for eliicient usetherewith.

The invention also resides in certain novel features of construction,combination and arrangement of the Vvarious parts and in modes ofoperation, all of which will be readily understood and appreciated bythose skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying drawings inconnection with the detailed description to followf-it being understoodthat the drawings illustrate what is now regarded as a preferredembodiment of the invention. However, the invention is capable ofvarious changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of thesubject matter claimed hereinafter.

In the drawings, wherein the same Vreference characters have been usedto designate the same parts in all views, f

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view illustrating the application of myinvention to a common type of automobile,certain parts of which havingbeen deleted for the sake of clarity;

Figure 1A is a sectional view taken on the line lA-lA of Figure 1;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the device with the tow barremoved;

Figure 3 is a. sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line le-4 of Figure 1; and, Figure'isV a sectional ofFiO'ure 1. y, y

VRefierring specifically to the drawings, the invention comprehends aclampv unit comprising a bearing member 5, the feet 5 Aof which areadapted to be disposed against the front portion of the axle V6 of thevehicle to be towed. The rear plate 7 of the clamp '60 unit isheldagainst the rear face of the axle by means of transverse clipmembers 8 which are secured by bolts 8a extending therethrough andthrough the feet 5a `of the bearing member 5. y

A rod 9 carried between the bearing ears 7a of plate 7 and secured bythe bolt 10` is adapted Vfor attachment tothe pan bolt 9@ ofthecrankcase which secures the radius rods. rlhus, it will be seen thataxle' is relieved of pulling straim-the latter beingdistributedbetweenthe axle and the crank caseso that there Vis no dangero f the axle being bent or pulled out, so as to speak. y

Thebearing member 5 is provided with an 76 intermediate sleeve l1journalled at its ends inbearing portions 11a andthrough 'which extendsthe transverse bolt 12 adapted to re-- ceive the apertured ends ofclevis-like members 13 of the draw member 14,-,the mem- 80 bers 13 beingbolted together and through draw member 14, as indicated at 15. Angleblocks 16 secured against 'the' sides of the members 1 3 by bolts 17,serve to complete the structureof the draft block or member .14.

Eachv horizontal ear' portion 16*1 of the angle pieces 16 is aperturedtoreceive the pivot'pin 2O?l which extends through the bifurcated endportion ofr a sleeve member 20, the outer end of which is tapped toreceive the threadedV reach rod 22 which has thereon the lock nut 21.The sleeveand reach rod constructions 20, 22 being duplicates of oneanother a description of one will suffice for both.

VThe end of each reach rod 22, is widened and cored out to define a partof the socket element of a ball 4and socket joint,-such socket portionor element being completed by the blockmemberQB, which iscorrespondentfr@ ly recessed. The socket portion of the block member 23and the end 22a of the reach rod are both flanked on opposite sides byears which receive bolts 24 whereby the parts are held assembled.Suitable nuts are on the bolts 24, as indicated, and it will be notedthat one face of the end` assembly 22a, 23 of the reach. rod? has anopening communicating into the ball socket whereby the ball element 25formed at the end of a shank 26 willv be universally seated. in.- theball socket,-the shank projecting outwardly therefrom and receiving thesplit sleeve portion 2701i a member having outward clamp ears 28 adaptedto be dra-wn together by the bolt 29'y tapped into the end. of avcoupling member 32,- which bolt 29 is adapted. to be projected throughthe openingsiir the ear portions 28. The coupling member 32 hasahexagonal formation 32a at its inner end and at this point the same istapped to receive the pro:- jecting, end.. of the threaded spindle arm34e, which are secured as usual to the spindles 35 off the wheels 36..z5 Itis believed to be obvious that when. the draft bar 14 which' issecured in the space between the clevis members 13 and. angle pieces 16is swung laterallly in one direction or. the otlierthe wheelslof thevehicle being 3o towed will be swung in proper direction so that thetowedvehicle willi follow the towing vehicle; It is tobe noted that theuniversal joints-*that is to say the ball and socket joints, at the endof each reach rod 22 enable the draft bar 37 to be elevated or loweredconsiderably without in anyway interfering with the operative steering,connection between sleeve'32 andthe spindle arms.

Having thus described. my invention, what 40 I claim as new and desireto. secure by Letters Patent is:

A device of the class described comprising ank axle, spindles mounted onthe axle', pairs of front and rear clamping members straddling the axle,means for securing said members to the axle, a U-shaped member, a link.pivotally connecting said member to the crank case of the vehicle to betowed, said rear clamping members securing the U-Shaped 5o member to theaxle, andthe front clamping A members having forwardly extending`recessed portionsy a vertically swingable block provided with integralextensions jourualed inthe recessed portions of said front clamp 55 ingmembers, a vertically; arranged bolt pasa ing through said. block and adraft member pivoted thereon for hm'izontal swinging' movement?I angleblock secured to the draft bar. biful-cated' members pivotally connectedto said angle blocks and having rods adj-usta-bly secured; thereto and.tothe axle spindles of the vehicle. Y

.ln testimony whereof I ax my signature.

5 GEORGE o. BURKETT.

